COMPANY HISTORY
The Group
Today, the Best Broadcast Group operates five (5) radio stations serving
North, Central and East Central Missouri...
KZZT
KZZT (105.5 FM), Moberly, MO. was the original flagship
station of our group. KZZT signed on the air April 10, 1987 with an operating
power of 3000 watts. The 24 hour service featured a block programmed format that
was Adult Contemporary during the day, Top 40/CHR at night and Classic Rock/AOR
overnight. A short time later KZZT increased operating power to 6000 watts and
later 25,000 watts. Over the years, KZZT has always featured a
"contemporary" type format. Today, KZZT features an Classic Hits format with
a strong 50,000 watts of power from a new transmission facility that went on-air
in 1999.
KFMZ/KZBK
In 1993, we purchased KGNG (1470 AM) and KZBK (97.7 FM) at Brookfield, MO.
Applications were filed with the FCC to change call letters to KZBK (AM) and
KZBK-FM (FM) and the station simulcast KZZT programming. At the time of
purchase, the AM station was a directional daytime only operation with 500 watts
of power while the FM station broadcast from 6am to 10pm with 3000 watts. A
short time later, an application was filed to relocate the FM to a new tower,
change frequency and increase operating power to 50,000 watts.
Today, the AM operates twenty-four (24) hours a day from its original
transmission facility. In December, 1995 construction was completed on a new FM
transmission facility. The KZZT simulcast ended and KZBK-FM (FM) moved to 96.9
on the FM dial with a power of 50,000 watts twenty-four (24) hours a day. The AM
station simulcasts the FM stations Hot AC format the majority of the time.
While details on the history of both the AM and FM facilities are limited, it
appears the AM station originally was built during 1955 and signed on the air in
1956 as KGHM (Green Hills of Missouri) and operated under those call letters
until 1984 when they were changed to KGNG (Good News of God). The FM station was
added in 1981 and was originally assigned call letters of KQMO. Shortly after
the FM was added, both stations went dark (off-the-air) for several years,
resuming operation in late 1984. In January, 2002 the AM station adopted the
call letters KFMZ and the FM station went to KZBK
KMCR
In 1994, KMCR (FM), Montgomery City, MO was obtained and became part of our
broadcast group. KMCR is a 3000 watt twenty-four (24) hour facility that
broadcasts at 103.9 on the FM dial. Shortly after the purchase, KMCR simulcast
KZZT programming until 1995 when the format was changed to a Hot AC
product. In 2006, KMCR adopted an Adult Contemporary format.
KMCR originally signed on the air in 1977 as KVCM. Later the call letters
were changed to KOMC and then KMCR (Montgomery County Radio). Format history
details are limited, however KMCR has featured a Country/Western format in the
past, an Adult Contemporary format and others. The station also simulcast with
another radio station licensed to Vandalia, MO for a short time. KMCR was dark
(off-the-air) several times prior to its purchase by our company.
KLTI
KLTI (AM), Macon, MO. signed on the air January 30, 1966 as a daytime station
broadcasting on a clear channel frequency of 1560 AM with 250 watts of power.
The station featured a live country/western format. In 1973, KLTI (Keep
Listening To It) was the first station in North Missouri to utilize a
computerized automation system. Later the station featured an MOR format
consisting of country, soft adult contemporary and other selected songs. In 1981
the station increased power to 1000 watts of daytime only power and remained in
operation by the original licensee until 1991. The station was dark
(off-the-air) for sometime, then was purchased by the licensee of the former
KDAM (FM) at Monroe City, MO who returned KLTI to the air with an oldies
format. KLTI was off the air about six months later when the licensee filed
bankruptcy. The station license was purchased through bankruptcy court by
another individual, yet the station remained silent.
In 1996, the license, original transmitters and real estate of KLTI were
purchased by our company and the station resumed operation from its original
facility. For a short time, KLTI simulcast KZBK-FM, then programmed its own 70's
based format. Twenty-four (24) hour service was also added.
Today, KLTI features a Real Country (Classic) format. In addition, KLTI airs
the locally produced "Prayer of Faith" broadcast Sunday mornings at
9am. The Prayer of Faith has been heard on KLTI every Sunday since 1967. The
Real Country (Classic) format of KLTI can be heard on both 1560 AM and 92.5 FM.
KCSX (KICKS-FM)
In December, 1998 KCSX (FM), Moberly, MO. hit the air with 25,000 watts of
power, featuring a Hot Country format at 97.3 FM twenty-four (24) hours a day.
KCSX studios were co-located with KZZT, and both stations utilized the same
tower for transmission purposes. KCSX was later upgraded to 100,000 watts of
power, changed City of License to Lee’s Summit, MO (Kansas City Metro) and
changed call letters to KZPL (The Planet). In 2003, we sold KZPL to another
company in the Kansas City market area.
K223AS
K223AS is a translator station located at 92.5 on your FM dial which
originates from our transmission facility located in Macon, Missouri. This
station currently rebroadcasts the signal of KLTI Radio.
OTHER BROADCAST INTERESTS
In addition, the Best Broadcast Group has been instrumental in filings for FM
radio stations licensed to Macon, MO, Vandalia, MO and Jefferson City, MO as
well as several translator stations in the area and more.
The Best Broadcast Group is a locally owned and operated privately held company.